Red Sox vs Orioles Lineup: Looking to keep the momentum without Xander Bogaerts

The Red Sox made a couple of lineup shuffles here for the second game of the year. Most notably Xander Bogaerts takes a seat and Tzu-Wei Lin gets the nod at shortstop. Speaking this morning, manager Ron Roenicke noted that giving players days off for day games after night games early will help limit fatigue during the season. It’s also worth noting Bogaerts had been dealing with a minor hamstring issue during summer camp so it makes sense he takes a seat under Roenicke’s plan. Christian Vázquez also is out with Kevin Plawecki starting behind the plate, as is typical for a catcher in a day game after a night game. Also of note, Alex Verdugo makes his long awaited debut in right field with a rightly on the mound, and Mitch Moreland makes his first start of the season sending Michael Chavis to the bench.

Friday’s game started out with Tommy Milone making his case for AL Cy Young for a couple of innings before quickly turning into a doubles party for the Red Sox. Boston’s lineup had 17 total hits and 8 were doubles. Kevin Pillar and José Peraza had dandy Red Sox debuts going a combined 7 for 10 with 5 runs batted in. Nathan Eovaldi got off to a hot start pitching 6 innings allowing 1 run and striking out 4.

The Red Sox will look to keep the hot bats going here today with a 1:35 PM ET start on NESN.